Head In The Clouds

Head in the Clouds

''No one falls in love by choice, it is by chance. No one stays in love by chance, it is by work, and no one falls out of love by chance, it is by choice. A relationship is built brick by brick over time, if a brick should break you mend it and make it stronger. You don't tear the entire wall down."

-”Till The World Ends”

Pre-Read and Edited by 59caddyel

Only Dreaming

***

Why are you doing this? You think to yourself, leaning your elbows against the nearly barren stadium’s railing. Looking up to the sky, you watch as the Wonderbolts practice various maneuvers and tricks. Your eyes focus on a specific Pegasus, a dark trail flowing behind him as he flies about in the air.

Every single time... why do I keep hoping? The sound of hooves break your focus - faint but still noticeable. Your ears shift around as the sound grows closer, stopping as you let out a sigh.

Without turning around, you hear a cough from behind you as the stranger clears his throat. “Why hello there, I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve been here every event practice for the past year.”

        Slowly turning around, you raise your hands to move a strand of mane from your face.

“Yes... Do you have an issue with it?” you ask, gently leaning your back against the railing as you spread your wings. The glare from the sun blocks your view as your eyes adjust to the sudden change of brightness.

“Of course not, I’m just curious why you’d bother... that is if you don’t mind me asking.” the stallion said in a sophisticated tone.

Why not, like he’s going to believe you.

“I used to be friends with Soarin... well really good friends,” you say with a smirk as your eyes trail to the stadium’s concrete flooring.

The stranger’s features are now definable as he stares to you through his darkened shades. He too is a Pegasus, with a white mane and a sage coat of fur. A smile is upon his face and he chuckles lightly as he playfully rubs his muzzle with a hand.

“Well, fellow, it appears as if you and I both have something in common,” the stallion explains, walking over towards the railing beside you.  You see, I too am friends with him, went to Wonderbolt Academy with him a few years ago.”

Mirroring your pose, he turns to look at you.

“I don’t mean to come off as strange, sir, but I mean we were really good friends,” you say giving an implied look.

“Oh... Well don’t be silly, that’s not strange at all.” There is a brief moment of silence as the both of you continue to look at each other.

“I don’t mean to be a bother and all, however, if I heard you right, you said ‘were’... correct?” the Pegasus tilted his head.

Yes...

“I did. He and I had a fight... a big one, actually. I know it sounds selfish but I didn’t want him to go to the academy, I didn’t want him to leave me.” you say, closing your eyes as you lower your head, pondering the whole thing in your mind,

“Its only for a few months!”

“What if you forget about me... What if you don’t come back?!”

“What is it with you?!”

“We had already been through some trust issues, and I just didn’t want him to leave me. I was afraid that he would fall in love with another while he was away.” You turn to look back into the sky as you fixate your attention back to him once more.

Tears slowly started to flow down your face, rolling across your coat as a deep silence fell between you two.

“I... know how you feel. I used to have a special somepony in my life as well, really nice individual.” He pulls the shades from his closed eyes with his gloved hand. “I had issues similar to yours, but slightly different. Suffice it to say, that pony probably won’t ever want to speak to me ever again.” The Pegasus opens his blue eyes and the sun’s rays makes them gleam.

“I don’t mean to give you my sob story,” he apologizes, “but I see that you’re an admirable fellow. I really can’t do much with the big show tonight, however I think I can help you out. Possibly arrange a meeting with him tonight.” the stranger says, trailing his voice.

How could you possibly do that? You give him a curious look as he slaps his forehead.

“Oh... I’m Zephyr by the way, I work for the publicity agency for the Wonderbolts.”

Returning a smile, you stick your hand out - your sleeve blowing gently in the breeze.

“Nice to meet you. So what do you have in mind?” you ask as he uses his ungloved hand to shake yours.

“We’ll I’m pretty sure I can get you an audience with him after the show tonight. That is, if you're interested.” Zephyr gives you a playful look, slowly starting to walk away from you and the railing.

Are you sure you want to do this? I mean what good is it going to do?

You ponder the thought for a moment as Zephyr stops to straighten his dark jacket, slowly tilting his head to the side as he focused his ear in your direction.

…

“Yes, I mean please.” You lean away from the bars as you retract your wings, slowly taking a few steps towards him.

“Ok then, meet at the fountain in Old Canterlot, say around eight? We can watch the show and of course I need to be with you if you want to get past the guards afterwards.” The sage stallion leans back in a fidgety manner as he awaits a response, placing his hands in his jacket.

“Eight sounds perfect.” You turn your attention back to the sky. Zephyr pauses for a moment and then started walking once more, the sound of his hooves slowly fading as you watch Soarin fly about in the sky.

***

Walking down a marble sidewalk, you stop to look over at a few Unicorn colts talking with each other under a tree. You give a smirk, shaking your head back and forth while you remember your foalhood.

“Why did you even decide to talk to me that day...” you ask yourself aloud, still closing your eyes as you let the memories flow through your mind. The sound of real-world hooves fades as memories of voices come painfully into being.

“That’s a funny name.”

"Yeah, I bet yours isn't any better."

“You kidding me, it’s only the greatest name ever!”

"Ok then what is it?"

“Soarin.”

Opening your eyes, you wipe the small traces of tears away. Others walk by you minding their own business as you look to the ground. You take a brief moment to slow your stride, approaching the end of the block with you head still somewhat lowered.

Your stop before your residence as a Pegasus mare awaits upon its steps. Turning to you with an excited look, she quickly jumps up to embrace you.

“Not so hard!” you say with a small laugh, straightening your shirt as you brush your hands against your jeans.

With her hands on her hips she gives an inquisitive grunt, her tone quickly changing “So where were you?”

Gale, I know you're my cousin but do you really need to worry so much?You turn, walking to the door as you try to avoid the question.

“I asked you a question you dolt!” she said, tapping her hooves with her arms crossed.

“Where I usually go when I randomly vanish,” you stop, lowering your head and ears slightly.

A sharp pain courses through you rear causing you to stop in your tracks. Turning around you use your hand to push her hand off of your aching tail, a look of concern in her eyes as you let out a sigh “I’m going out later tonight, to see him.”

“After how he treated you, after what happened?” Gale asks as you turn back to face the door.

“I don’t care, I still love him...” You walk to the door, slowly pushing it open as she slowly trails behind you.

Closing the door gently, she follows you to a plush sofa where you make yourself comfortable. Your mane flows over your face as you pull a ring from your finger - a bolt with wings inscribed into a shiny circular band.

“How exactly are you going to see him? Remember the last bajillion times you tried?”

“I do... but I met somepony who could get me an audience. His name is Zephyr and he has connections with the Wonderbolts.” You hold the ring up to the light, examining some small writing chiseled upon the inside of the loop.

For you see, each day I love you more. Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow. ~ Soarin

“So some random stallion came up to you.. and you just assume he is who he says he is? Are you sure that this is such a good idea, I mean how long has he been avoiding you and now all of a sudden you're just able to see him?” Gale paces slowly in front of the sofa as you continue to examine the ring.

I can’t take it anymore, I need to see him!

Turning to look at her, your eyes start to water. “Look, it was my fault the argument took place anyways. I have stopped by that stadium every week for the last year. I know you think I’m crazy... but I just miss him so much.”

You turn to look at the ring once more, your ears lower as she places a hand on your shoulder.

“I’m sorry... I just see how hurt you are. I watch you suffer day in and day out while he gets to live his dream.” she says as she pulls her hand across your wings, her fingertips sliding gently across their surface. “However, while I may wish him ill will, if you desire to be with him, to try to make things right again, I will support you if it makes you happy.”

You have no idea...

You turn to look at the window, staring out into the streets.

***

You look to the orangish blue sky, the night starting to take over as the sun set. Turning back towards the fountain, you notice the green Pegasus sitting on a nearby bench. You smile as he turns to look at you while you slowly walk over to him.

Approaching the bench, you fall to your knees, blushing as you look to the stallion. Pulling your hoof free from the cobblestone crevice, you brush your jeans off.

“I hope you can fly better than you can walk.”

You chuckle lightly as he stands up “At least I’m still not wearing shades as night falls.” He pulls a VIP ticket from his pocket and holds it out for you to take.

“You’re going to need this...and my company of course.” You stop, turning to look at the stallion as he smirks to you.

Grabbing the ticket, you quickly place it within your pocket. You slowly start to turn in the stadium’s direction as the stallion gently grabs your shoulder, causing you to turn back towards him.

“I had you come here early so we could catch the show but I wasn’t expecting this much of a crowd. In other words unless you like watching from a monitor we’re not going to be able to watch.” Zephyr says in a sarcastic yet humorous tone.

You look into his eyes with a hopeless look “You’re the head PR aren’t you? Don’t you have seats already in reserve, I mean surely you can get us in?”

After taking a deep breath he frowns “ As I said... I wasn’t expecting this much of a crowd, even I can’t get you in for this one. Every seat, and I mean every seat, is sold out tonight.” You look above the stadium as you hear crowds cheering at wild stunts.

“Don’t you have box seats, I mean surely you and the other PR’s have to have your own box?” you ask again in a desperate attempt.

“Turns out Celestia herself requested the use of the PR box... strange but she’s letting six others use her box for tonight’s event.” Zephyr tilts his head so that his eyes are slowly revealed from behind his dark shades.

“Heh, sorry to disappoint you. I know . If you want, I set up dinner reservations at a small dinner restaurant in the park ahead of time knowing our little dilemma ahead of time... That is unless you had something else in mind to pass the time.” Zephyr says, closing his eyes as he smiles back to you.

Brushing a hand through your mane, you give him a smile of uncertainty “Is this a... date?”

Zephyr takes a moment to laugh to himself, grabbing his chest he gives you a charmed look “Well, I guess you could call it that if you’d like... it’s just something to pass some time. Besides you look like you’re starving, your eyes are a bit wary.”

What the... Soarin used to tell that to me all the time.

“Are you alright? Anyways we better pick up the reservations... would look bad on my PR reputation if I reserved a table for air.”

You shake your head, clearing your thoughts as you give him an odd look.

“I’m fine, it’s just... nevermind.” You say in a playful tone, curiously watching the green stallion’s body language. You watch as small beads of sweat form upon the fur of his forehead.

“Ah, well I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I...-” You cut him off mid-sentence.

“I’m not really all that hungry, but I guess I could go for a few drinks.” You say in a humble tone. Zephyr smiles as he starts  to walk in front of you, taking the lead as you both stroll towards the large radiant garden.

“You know, if this is a date we should be holding each others arms...” You say, causing the obviously nervous Pegasus to lightly chuckle.

“I think I’m quite fine...” Zephyr says, not even breaking his forward gaze to look at you.

There’s something fishy about this whole thing.